PERSON: Trent Duffy

Kasich for America

National Communications Advisor

Trent Duffy has over two decades of experience in media relations, strategic communications and public affairs, and has served in top positions in both the White House and on Capitol Hill. Duffy served President George W. Bush in the White House for four years, most as deputy assistant to the president and deputy press secretary. In that role, he was a top spokesperson and media strategist on numerous public policy issues, including: economic policy, energy, health care, homeland security, telecommunications, taxes and trade.

Prior to serving in the West Wing, Duffy served as communications director for Mitch Daniels at the White House Office of Management and Budget. There, he developed and led government-wide communication strategies for the president’s 2003 and 2004 budgets, and was heavily involved in promoting the president’s economic program and the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.

Duffy also has extensive experience on Capitol Hill. As communications director for the powerful House Ways & Means Committee, he developed a strong policy background and an ability to understand, translate and persuasively advocate on highly technical issues such as tax and trade policy, Medicare and Social Security.

In 2001, Duffy served as press secretary for the Republican National Committee. He has also worked as communications director for U.S. Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and legislative aide to U.S. Representative Harold Rogers (R-KY). In 1997, he was a spokesperson for New Jersey Governor Christie Todd Whitman’s successful re-election campaign. Duffy also worked as assistant manager for federal affairs at Parsons Brinckerhoff, an international engineering consulting firm.

In addition to his government experience, he has provided media and strategic counsel to a client list that includes: the Financial Services Roundtable Housing Policy Council, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Natural Products Association, the Direct Marketing Association, and other corporate, association and coalition clients.

Reporters still frequently seek Duffy’s views on current political news. U.S. News and World Report said he “easily gave the best quotes out of the West Wing during his three years,” and that “reporters like him because he was knowledgeable on tricky and technical issues … he was also honestly blunt.” Duffy has been a guest on Fox News Channel, MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” CNN’s “American Morning,” and C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal.”